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Once upon a time, in a faraway land, A young Prince lived in a shining castle Although he had everything his heart desired, The Prince was spoiled, selfish, and unkind. But then, one winter's night, an old beggar-woman came to the castle, And offered him a single rose in return for shelter from the bitter cold. Repulsed by her haggard appearance, the Prince sneered at the gift and turned the old woman away, But she warned him not to be deceived by appearances, For beauty is found within. And when he dismissed her again, the old woman's ugliness melted away To reveal a beautiful Enchantress. The Prince tried to apologize, but it was too late, For she had seen that there was no love in his heart. And as punishment, she transformed him into a hideous Beast, and placed a powerful spell on the castle, and all who lived there. Ashamed of his monstrous form, the Beast concealed himself inside his castle, with a magic mirror as his only window to the outside world. The rose she had offered was truly an enchanted rose, which would bloom until his 21st year. If he could learn to love another, and earn her love in return, By the time the last petal fell, then the spell would be broken. If not, he would be doomed to remain a beast for all time. As the years passed, he fell into despair, and lost all hope. For who could ever learn to love a Beast?

Gaston: [flicking through the pages of Belle's book] How can you read this? There's no pictures!

Belle: Well, some people use their imagination.

Gaston: [tossing the book aside] Belle, it's about time you got your head out of those books and paid attention to more important things. Like me. The whole town's talking about it. It's not right for a woman to read. Soon she starts getting "ideas" and "thinking"--

Belle: Gaston, you are positively primeval.

Gaston: Why, thank you, Belle!

[Belle raises her eyebrows in surprise.]

[The Beast catches Belle in the West Wing.]

Beast: Why did you come here?

Belle: I'm- I'm sorry.

Beast: I warned you never to come here!

Belle: I didn't mean any harm.

Beast: [now remotely angry] DO YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU COULD HAVE DONE!? [smashes a table out of anger]

Belle: Please, stop!

Beast: GET OUT!!! [as Belle runs out of the room in absolute terror]GET OOOOOOOOOOOOOOUT!!!!!!

[Belle immediately grabs her cloak, puts it on, and runs out of the castle; with Cogsworth and Lumiere close behind]

Lumiere: Wh-Where are you going?

Belle: Promise or no promise, I can't stay here another minute!

Cogsworth: Oh no, wait! Please, wait!

[Belle nurses the Beast's wounds in the den after the fight with the wolves. She dips a rag into a small dish of hot water poured by Mrs. Potts.]

Belle: Here now. [Beast licks his wounds] Oh, don't do that. (trying to clean his wounds with the rag) Just hold still.

[She applies the rag to the wound, causing the Beast to jump back and roar in pain. The objects, who are close by, hide in fear.]

Beast: THAT HURTS!

Belle: If you'd hold still, it wouldn't hurt as much!

Beast: Well, if you hadn't run away, this wouldn't have happened!

Belle: Well, if you hadn't frightened me, I wouldn't have run away!

Beast: [pauses] Well, YOU shouldn't have been in the West Wing!

Belle: Well, YOU should learn to control your temper!

[The Beast tries to counterpoint, but can't think of a good reason; so he bows his head in shame. The objects re-emerge.]

Belle: Now, hold still. This may sting a little. [applies the rag to the wound; though the Beast winces, he doesn't pull back this time.] By the way, thank you for saving my life.

Beast: You're welcome.

Beast: I let her go.

Cogsworth: [chuckles] Yes. Splendid-- [realizes what the Beast just said] You what? How could you do that?!

Beast: I had to.

Cogsworth: Yes, but....why?

Beast: Because....I love her.

[The Beast lays dying with Belle at his side. Meanwhile, the rose is down to its last petal.]

Beast: You- You came back.

Belle: Of course I came back. I couldn't let them.... [hugs the Beast] Oh, this is all my fault. If only I'd gotten here sooner--

Beast: Maybe it would be better....it would be better this way.

Belle: Don't talk like that. You'll be all right. We're together now. Everything's going to be fine. You'll see.